Boy drowns aboard Carnival cruise ship near Miami

A family trip turned tragic as a six-year-old boy drowned in a pool aboard a Carnival cruise ship with his brother nearby, the company said Monday.

"Yesterday, October 13, on board the Carnival Victory, while the ship was at sea on the last leg of a four-day Caribbean cruise, a six-year-old boy drowned in the midship pool," the company said in a statement.

"He was at the pool area with other family members at the time," the company said.

"Carnival extends its heartfelt sympathy to the family during this very difficult time. The company’s CareTeam is providing assistance and support."

The ship arrived early Monday at Port Miami, a Miami-Dade police spokesman said.

"The Miami-Dade Police Department is investigating and identified the boy as Qwentyn Hunter of Winter Garden in central Florida. The boy was with his 10-year-old brother in the pool at the time," police said adding that "the drowning appears to be accidental."

About four million people pass through the busy port every year, most en route to Caribbean cruises.